Ford 289 block to an early ford transmission

[fordy6]

Hi all,
Has anyone tried to adapt a Ford 289 motor to a '46 Ford tranny and drive train?
Thanks, Mike

[Lanny]

Hi Mike, here is an thread below that might help you .

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...-ford.1124545/





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[fordor41]

I installed a '81 302(basically same as 289) in our '41 with stock 3 speed. used a trans adapter/ pilot brg from Speedway(don't think they sell it anymore). used mustang starter, flywheel, clutch assy. used stock '41 t.o. brg. cut nothing. homemade engine mounts and Chassis Eng. trans mount. used some year of Mustang exhaust manifold, with rear dump on d.s. exhaust manifold that cleared the steering box. used a walker 4 core rad with stock Ford truck water pump.was almost like ole Henry Ford wanted a SBF to fit!

[cadillac512]

Originally Posted by fordor41

I installed a '81 302(basically same as 289) in our '41 with stock 3 speed. used a trans adapter/ pilot brg from Speedway(don't think they sell it anymore). used mustang starter, flywheel, clutch assy. used stock '41 t.o. brg. cut nothing. homemade engine mounts and Chassis Eng. trans mount. used some year of Mustang exhaust manifold, with rear dump on d.s. exhaust manifold that cleared the steering box. used a walker 4 core rad with stock Ford truck water pump.was almost like ole Henry Ford wanted a SBF to fit!

Do you remember what oil pan you used? Most 289/302 engines had a front sump that might cause interference.

[TJ]

You would use an early Bronco pan and the Bronco oil pickup tube. I think some of the later 302 pans maybe similar to the early Bronco.

[Jack E/NJ]

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Nothing fits or works better than a flathead with a 46 Ford tranny & drive train except a SBC. 8^)

[Charlie Stephens]

One thing that is important is to check the bolt pattern of the bell housing on the adapter and be sure it matches the pattern on the engine. The pattern changed mid sixties. Most of the adapters were made for the early pattern and never updated for the change.

Charlie Stephens

PS, you would have a more knowledgeable group for this topic on HAMB (https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/)

[fordor41]

Originally Posted by cadillac512

Do you remember what oil pan you used? Most 289/302 engines had a front sump that might cause interference.

believe it was a t-bird or van pan. bought it from Ford w/ extended oil pick-up for the larger rear sump. Assume would have to go with aftermarket by now.

[fordor41]

Originally Posted by Charlie Stephens

One thing that is important is to check the bolt pattern of the bell housing on the adapter and be sure it matches the pattern on the engine. The pattern changed mid sixties. Most of the adapters were made for the early pattern and never updated for the change.

Charlie Stephens

PS, you would have a more knowledgeable group for this topic on HAMB (https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/)

I believe '65 was the 5 bolt pattern. after that ford went to 6 bolt.

[fordor41]

Originally Posted by fordor41

I installed a '81 302(basically same as 289) in our '41 with stock 3 speed. used a trans adapter/ pilot brg from Speedway(don't think they sell it anymore). used mustang starter, flywheel, clutch assy. used stock '41 t.o. brg. cut nothing. homemade engine mounts and Chassis Eng. trans mount. used some year of Mustang exhaust manifold, with rear dump on d.s. exhaust manifold that cleared the steering box. used a walker 4 core rad with stock Ford truck water pump.was almost like ole Henry Ford wanted a SBF to fit!

after giving this some thought, the reason I changed to a C-4 auto was the clutch effort was about twice as hard as the stock '41. as for as fitting in the car it was a piece of cake but I didn't really like how it operated, maybe another companies adapter would operate better. believe mine was a Trans-Adapt. If I had known then what I know now, how it operated, I would have gone straight to a C-4 auto or overdrive. even the C-4 fit like cake but OD is a bit longer

[Henry Floored]

Originally Posted by fordy6

Hi all,
Has anyone tried to adapt a Ford 289 motor to a '46 Ford tranny and drive train?
Thanks, Mike

If your 289 is the 5 bolt bellhousing flange you’re fine. Many of the early small block Ford to Flathead transmission adapters were made and are available.

For the later 6 bolt SBF’s I believe you should contact Wilcap. I believe they either made them or could point you in the right direction.


For an oil pan the aforementioned Bronco pan will work or any of the 302 powered pickup truck engines from about 1980 up.

Try to get one with the dipstick tube bung made in the pan. Don’t worry they are common. Your original dipstick in the front won’t work of course with the rear sump pan.

With the deeper front crossmember in the ‘41-‘48 Ford cars and trucks getting an OHV Ford with a front mounted oil pump is pretty easy.


On a ‘35 - ‘40 Ford it’s a little more difficult but not that hard if you simply change out the front deep dish crossmember for the original. With a little bit of care they can be put in like the factory would.

[Henry Floored]

I did a quick search and saw this on EBay. Notice the dip stick tube mount on the side.

gas station in near me

[Henry Floored]

Here is a link to the late 289/302 adapter.


https://images.app.goo.gl/VXUa6SEfBzVC9Mkj6

[Henry Floored]

Here’s another one.

https://transmissioncenter.net/shop/...ission-fo1601/

bp gas near me